Fly Fishing on the River Dove in The Derbyshire Peak District - Go Fly Fishing UK The Derbyshire / Staffordshire River Dove A Very Historic Fly Fishing River (The entire length of the Dove is the boundary between Staffordshire on the West and Derbyshire on the East.) The River Dove in Derbyshire is where Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton fished and is mentioned in “The Compleat Angler” (1653). The River Dove is a limestone river flowing through the beautiful Derbyshire Dales countryside. The clear alkaline water is a rich environment for aquatic insects and consequently both Brown Trout and Grayling thrive here. Its source at Axe Edge Moor is just south west of Buxton and it flows in a southerly direction and joins the River Trent near Burton-on-Trent. The best fly fishing beats are not far from the historical old town of Ashbourne. Go Fly Fishing UK offers top class guided fly fishing and fly fishing tuition days on several excellent and often exclusive beats of the River Dove.

Take the opportunity to fish the exclusive “Temple” beat and lunch in Charles Cotton’s fishing house (1674) or visit Izaak Walton’s cottage (1654) at Shallowford, 50 minutes drive from Ashbourne. The River Dove is within easy reach of the cities of Sheffield, Manchester, Derby, Leicester, Stoke-on-Trent and Birmingham. Fish Species / Seasons The River Dove has an excellent stock of Brown Trout and Grayling. The majority of the Brown Trout are wild fish and the Grayling grow large with fish in excess of 2lbs not uncommon. Additionally, Rainbow Trout are present in some sections. The Brown Trout fishing season runs from the 18th March to the 7th October inclusive and Grayling fishing season runs from the 16th June until the 14th March inclusive. Tackle The River Dove is not a large limestone river but a rod of between 8.5 and 9 feet for a 4 / 5 weight (floating) line is not too long for most beats. On some upper beats however a shorter rod would be an advantage. Wading is essential with chest waders being the preferred option.

Tactics All legitimate methods of fly fishing are allowed on the River Dove but it’s an excellent dry fly river and often “a match the hatch” approach is the best tactic. Fishing with weighted or un-weighted nymphs or bugs is also extremely effective as are North Country Spiders. Being a smaller river it’s also ideal for using a “Tenkara” rod and fishing in the traditional Japanese style. The Dove has excellent hatches throughout the season and has an often prolific Mayfly hatch starting around the end of May until the end of June. Guides We have a very experienced guide on the Dove who has fly fished for more than 40 years and fished the River Dove for the past 18 years - he knows every beat we use intimately. Tackle and waders can be supplied and collection/return from/to Uttoxeter station can be arranged. If you fancy making your fly fishing part of a short break then we can advise you on the best accommodation options, these include Country House Hotels, Inns and Bed and Breakfasts each within a short distance of superb fishing. Costs Fly fishing in the Derbyshire Dales is great value.

Although we charge £15 per person more for a day on the River Dove than at most other locations this is still a very low price when compared to other rivers of similar quality. Note – Days on the exclusive Charles Cotton “Temple” beat cost more and vary depending on the time of year, please call for a quotation. Click here to go directly to our guided day price list . Contact Steve at our northern office to discuss your preferred fly fishing location or to make a booking – telephone 01756 748378 / 07717 533177 or email steve@goflyfishinguk.com . Useful Links GENUKI: DERBYSHIRE, England - History and Description, 1868, Derbyshire We are in the process of upgrading the site to implement a content management system. DERBYSHIRE, England - History and Description, 1868 [Description(s) from The National Gazetteer (1868)] "DERBYSHIRE, a midland county, lying to the N. of the Trent, between 52° 41' and 53° 30' N.

lat., and 1° 10' and 2° 4' W. long. It is bounded on the N.E. by the West Riding of Yorkshire, from which it is partly separated by the rivers Derwent, Rother, and Sheaf; on the E. by Nottinghamshire, from which it is separated by the Erewash; on the S.E. by Leicestershire, from which it is partly separated by the Trent; on the S.W. by Staffordshire, from which it is separated by the Dove and Trent; on the W. by Staffordshire and Cheshire, from the former of which it is separated by the Dove, and from the latter by the Goyt; and on the N.W. by Cheshire, from which it is here separated by the Etherow. In form it is irregular, the northern part being broad, and the southern part narrow. Its extreme length from N. to S. is 56 miles, its extreme breadth from E. to W. 34 miles, and its area 1,029 square miles, or 658,803 statute acres.

A small portion of Derbyshire near the southern extremity is detached from the main part of the county, being shut in between Warwickshire, Leicestershire, and Staffordshire. The population of Derbyshire in 1861 was 339,327, against 296,084 in 1851, showing an increase of 43,243, or at the rate of 15 per cent., during the ten years. Since 1801 it has more than doubled. In 1861 the number of inhabited houses was 69,262, and of uninhabited, 3,436. Before the conquest of Britain by the Romans, Derbyshire formed part of the territory of the Coretani, and was afterwards included in the Roman province Flavia Cæsariensis. During the Saxon period Derbyshire was comprehended in the kingdom of Mercia, and at Repton on the Trent the Saxon kings had a residence. In the reigns of Ethelred and Alfred, Derbyshire was the scene of frequent contests between the Saxons and the Danes: the latter long held possession of the town of Derby.

William the Conqueror made considerable grants of land within the county to Henry de Ferrers, whose son he created Earl de Ferrers, and his grandson Earl of Derby. William Peverel, a natural son of William the Conqueror, also received extensive grants of land, and to him is attributed the building of the Peak and Bolsover castles. Richard I. deprived the Earl of Ferrers of the title and possessions of the earldom of Derby, and bestowed them on his own brother, John. After the latter ascended the throne, the earldom of Derby was restored to the Earl de Ferrers. In the insurrection of the barons against Henry III., the Earl of Ferrers and Derby took a very active part, but having been taken prisoner at Chesterfield, his estates were confiscated, and, along with the title of Earl of Derby, were bestowed upon Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, son of Henry III.

From this period the earldom of Derby long remained united with that of Lancaster, Edmund was succeeded in the earldom of Derby and Lancaster by his son Thomas, who, on the failure of the insurrection against Gaveston and Le Despenser, the favourites of Edward II., was taken prisoner and executed. Thomas was succeeded by his brother Henry, and Henry was succeeded by his son Henry - that Earl of Derby who commanded the English army in Guienne. On the death of the latter, the earldom of Derby and Lancaster fell to John of Gaunt, who had married Henry's daughter Blanch. John of Gaunt was succeeded by his son Henry, afterwards Henry IV. Henry VII. conferred the title of Earl of Derby on his supporter, Lord Stanley, in whose family it has ever since continued. In the early part of 1642, Derbyshire was held by the royalists; but in the October of that year Sir John Gell entered the county with a small body of infantry, and having received reinforcements, attacked and captured several of the royalist strongholds, and defeated the king's army at Swarkestone Bridge.

In 1643 he reduced Bolsover Castle, which was commanded by the Earl of Newcastle. The royalists afterwards regained possession of the northern part of the county. In 1644 a battle was fought at Egginton Heath. In his march into Yorkshire after the battle of Naseby, the king gained some advantages over Sir John Gell. The northern part of Derbyshire, which is called the Peak, is very elevated; the southern part is in general flat. The scenery of the Peak, consisting of elevated moorlands, intersected by deep, well-wooded valleys, is very varied and beautiful. The principal heights of this district are Blakelow Stones, 1,800 feet high; Kinderscout, nearly as high; Axe Edge, at the head of the Dove, 1,758 feet high; Lord's Seat and Main Tor, 1,751 feet. These hills are mostly bleak and barren, affording scanty pasture to large numbers of sheep. A lateral ridge runs between the basins of the Dove and the Derwent.

A branch of the Pennine range, which leaves the main ridge in Yorkshire and runs along the boundary of Yorkshire and Derbyshire, crosses Derbyshire in a south-easterly direction, and forms the eastern boundary of the basin of the Derwent. Of this range the principal elevations are Oxstones, 1,377 feet high, and Aport or Orpit Hill, 980 feet. The principal rivers of Derbyshire are the Trent, Derwent, Dove, Erewash, Mease, Goyt, Sheaf, and Rother. The Trent, after flowing N. for 10 miles, along the border of Derbyshire and Staffordshire, enters the former county below Burton, runs E. for 11 miles through Derbyshire, then flows N.E. for 10 miles, along the borders of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire, till it joins the Erewash, when it leaves Derbyshire altogether. The length of its course along and within the border of Derbyshire is 31 miles. About three-fourths of the entire county are drained by the Trent.

The Trent is navigable as far as Burton: since 1805, however, by agreement with the Trent and Mersey Canal Company, the Trent has not been used for purposes of navigation above its junction with the Derwent. The Derwent rises on the borders of Derbyshire and Yorkshire, flows S. through Chatsworth Park, by Matlock, Cromford, Belper, and Derby, then E. into the Trent. Its principal tributaries are the Westend river, Ashop, Noe, Wye (which rises near Axe Edge and flows S.E. by Bakewell), Ambergate, and Ecclesburn: its entire course is about 60 miles. The scenery of the Derwent is in many parts remarkably beautiful. This river was some years ago made navigable as far as Derby, but has since been superseded by the Derby canal. The Dove rises on the slope of Axe Edge, flows S. by Longnor and Ashbourne into the Trent below Burton. It forms the boundary between Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Its chief tributaries are the Manifold and Churnet from Staffordshire: its course is about 45 miles.

The scenery of the valley of the Dove, especially of that part called "Dove Dale", is unsurpassed by that of any other English river. Its waters are very clear and of a bluish tint. In spring the Dove frequently overflows its banks. The Erewash rises in Nottinghamshire, enters Derbyshire 3 miles from its source, and flows S. into the Trent: its course is about 20 miles. The Mease rises in Leicestershire, and flows into the Trent its course is about 20 miles. The Goyt rises near Axe Edge, flows N.W. till it joins the Etherow; the united streams then flow S.W. into the Mersey at Stockport. The Rother rises near Chatsworth Park, flows E. to Chesterfield, then flows N.E. till it enters Yorkshire. The Sheaf rises in Derbyshire and joins the Dove at Sheffield. Derbyshire is well supplied with canals. The Trent and Mersey canal begins at Wilden Ferry, and runs through Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Cheshire: its length is 93 miles. The Derby canal connects Derby with the Grand Trunk and Erewash canals.

The Erewash canal commences in the Trent, runs along the valley of the Erewash, and joins the Cromford canal. The Cromford canal commences at Langley Bridge, and runs past Codnor, whence it has a branch to Pinxton, along the valley of the Derwent to Cromford Bridge. The Nutbrook canal is a branch of the Erewash canal, commencing near Shipley. The Chesterfield canal commences at Chesterfield, follows the valley of the Rother, and joins the Trent below Gainsborough: its length is 46 miles, 12 only of which are in Derbyshire, the remainder being in Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire. Notwithstanding the hilly character of Derbyshire, it is intersected by several important lines of railway. The Midland railway connects Derby with Chesterfield and the north, from which line a branch, passing through most beautiful scenery in the valley of Wye, was opened to Buxton in 1863.

The Birmingham and Derby Junction runs in a south-western direction from Derby to Egginton, where it quits the county; the Midland by one section connects Derby with Burton, and by another with Loughborough, Leicester, and Rugby; the North Staffordshire line connects Derby with Macclesfield, and has a branch to Ashbourne. Mention ought also to be made of the Cromford and High Peak railway, which although only intended for the conveyance of minerals and merchandise, is interesting as having been commenced as far back as 1825, and opened for traffic in 1830, rising upwards of 990 feet in 33 miles. It was worked by fixed engines and horses, but is now superseded by the Buxton line. The climate of Derbyshire varies according to the elevation of the land: in the N., where it is hilly, the annual rainfall is very large; in the lowlands it is about the same as in the surrounding counties. The soil of the mountainous parts is barren, whilst that of the lowlands is highly productive. Derbyshire, to the S.

of Ashbourne, Duffield, and Sandiacre, belongs to the New Red sandstone or red marl formation. In the red sandstone near Darley Abbey, gypsum is quarried and used by the potters of Staffordshire for moulds, &c. The new magnesian or conglomerate limestone occupies the eastern part of the county. Underlying the magnesian limestone are the coal measures. The principal coal-mining districts are about Chesterfield and Alfreton, between Ashbourne and Derby. There are also some coal-mines at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, on the borders of Leicestershire. In the coal district, ironstone is found. Carboniferous limestone occupies the centre of the county, and is quarried as marble. In this formation china-stone and fluor-spar are found. Where the carboniferous limestone crops out are the lead-mines, from which about 4,500 tons of lead are obtained yearly. Millstone grit occupies a tract between Duffield, Belper, and Wirksworth, and extends to the northern border.

There are numerous limestone caverns in Derbyshire, the most remarkable being the Devil's cavern, 2,700 feet long; Eldon Hole, 180 feet deep, near Castleton; and the Bagshaw Grottoes, 2,000 feet long, containing stalactites., There are warm springs at Matlock and Buxton, and at Stoney Middleton, where the Romans established a bath. Agriculture, especially in the north, is backward. A large proportion of the land is in pasture. There are rich meadows along the courses of the rivers: along that of the Dove are large dairies, where great quantities of cheese are made. Large crops of wheat and barley (the latter for the Burton breweries) are grown on the red marl, and oats on the poorer land. It was formerly the custom when the wheat was thin in the spring to sow barley amongst it; the produce of this mixture was called "blend", and ground to meal, of which the poorer classes made bread. Spring wheat is now sown instead of barley. Potatoes are grown in large quantities.

The oxen are of various breeds; the heaviest kinds are fattened on the rich pastures of this county. The sheep on the hills are similar to the Cheviot: in the lowlands, South Down and Leicester are most esteemed. Derbyshire has no very large woods. Coppices and plantations, where poles are grown for the mines, are numerous. The principal manufactures of the county are cotton, calico, silk, and lace. Derby is the chief seat of the manufactures. The lead-mines are under the jurisdiction of stewards appointed by the lessees. They preside in the barmote courts, held twice a year, and determine all disputes that arise in working the mines. The county returns six members to parliament; two for the N., two for the S., and two for Derby. At the period of the Domesday Survey Derbyshire, was divided for civil purposes into five wapentakes-viz., Scarvedale, Hamestan, Morlestan, Walecross, and Apultre. It is now divided into six hundreds: High Peak, Wirksworth, Scarsdale, Morleston and Litchurch, Appletree, Repton and Gresley.

Derbyshire forms an archdeaconry in the diocese of Lichfield, and contains nineteen rural deaneries. It is divided into nine unions, including 272 parishes and townships : Chapel-en-le-Frith, Bakewell, Glossop, Hayfield, Shard-low, Ashbourne, Belper, Chesterfield, and Derby. Besides Derby, which is the only parliamentary borough and market-town, there are sixteen other market-towns Alfreton, Ashbourne, Ashover, Bakewell, Belper, Buxton, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Chesterfield, Crich, Ilkeston, Wirksworth, Cromford, Dronfield, Heanor, Tideswell, and Winster. The principal antiquities of Derbyshire are Druid circles of stones and barrows at Arbor-low and Stanton Moor, and some cromlechs at Hathersage. The British road Icknield Street crossed the county from S.W. to N.E. The Romans had stations at Derventio, Buxton, Brough in Hopedale, and Melandra Castle; and roads - Long Lane, from Little Chester to Chesterton, and another through Buxton to Manchester.

There are remains of Melandra, Mackworth, Castleton, and Codnor castles, of Haddon Hall, and South Wingfield Manor House, of the priories of Repton and Gresley, Dale and Beauchief abbeys, and Yeaveley preceptory. The chief seats of the nobility are Chatsworth and Hardwicke, of the Duke of Devonshire; Bolsover, of the Duke of Portland; Elvaston, of Earl Harrington; Bretby, of Earl Chesterfield; Melbourne Park, of Viscount Melbourne; Hassop, of Earl Newburgh; Sudbury, of Lord Vernon; Doveridge, of Lord Waterpark; Redestone, of Lord Scarsdale." [Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003] The Dove is the major river of the South Peak The Dove is the major river of the South Peak The Dove is the major river of the South Peak, rising on Axe Edge and flowing south to eventually meet the Trent near Burton. It forms the bounday between Derbyshire and Staffordshire for most of its length.

River Dove The River Dove rises on the Eastern side of Axe Edge and flows almost southwards to the boundary of the Peak, forming the boundary between Derbyshire and Staffordshire for the whole of its length. The river is renowned as one of the most beautiful in the area, if not in the country, and is a famous trout-fishing river, immortalised by Izaak Walton in his book 'The Compleat Angler' - written when visiting his friend Charles Cotton at Beresford Hall near Hartington. Axe Edge View The scene where the river rises seems a far cry from the famous lower valley of the Dove. Axe Edge is a high gritstone moor, and the river plunges steeply down through a deeply-cut valley before it arrives at the limestone rock near Hollinsclough. Now the valley widens out somewhat, but the hills seem to rear up around it in weird shapes - those on the left bank of the river are the remains of ancient coral reefs, which tower with sheer sides and fluted ridges above the upper Dove valley. Chrome and Parkhouse hills are both magnificent cock's-comb ridges, while High Wheeldon is only marginally less spectacular.

Crowdecote The Dove flows on with a limestone ridge on its left bank and a gritstone one on its right, through the tiny hamlet of Crowdecote and past Pilsbury and Sheen. This part of the valley has twice been threatened with plans for a reservoir, which have fortunately been resisted. In 1946 the House of Lords threw out a plan by Leicester Corporation, and in 1970 a scheme by the Trent Water Authority was also abandoned due to local opposition. The river then reaches Hartington to begin the section which has made it famous. Hartington actually lies just off the river itself, but a path leads out of the village across the fields to reach the Dove at the start of Beresford Dale, where the river enters the narrow gorge where Walton and Cotton fished. Though Beresford Beresford Dale Hall has long since gone, the fishing house Charles Cotton built alongside the river in 1674 can just be glimpsed amongst the trees, and just downstream lies the pool where the character 'Viator' in The Compleat Angler marvelled at the spike of rock which leaps out of the river here.

Beresford Dale is the most intimate stretch of the Dove, with the river hemmed in by steep cliffs and heavily wooded slopes which tower over it, while the stream glides lazily through turbid pools. The river winds on, the gorge widening slightly and the hills on either side rising ever higher, the scene becoming ever more impressive. At the two cliffs known as the Celestial Twins you enter Wolfscote Dale, which continues down to Lode Mill, about four kilometres distant. All the way you are in a fine deep valley, often flanked by steep cliffs and accompanied always by the river. Viators Bridge at Milldale At Lode Mill you meet the first road bridge since Hartington, and the path takes a small road to the charming hamlet of Milldale, before crossing Viator's bridge to enter Dovedale itself. This is the most magnificent and most popular stretch of the river. First you pass Raven's Crag on the right bank, further down you come to the caves Dove Holes (named from the Saxon word 'Dubh', meaning black), and then to the leaning pinnacle of Ilam Rock. It seems hard to believe that the rock is regularly climbed by rock climbers, even on the overhanging side!

Ilam Rock The valley here is heavily wooded and the ash woods of the Dove are one of the few surviving woodlands of their type in the country - so they have been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. They are home to many plants and animals, while the river itself is host to numerous trout, wagtails, dippers and ducks. Below Ilam Rock the valley narrows, and the path even has a short stretch where duck-boards have been erected to save walkers from having to wade the river. Then it opens out again and high on the left lies Reynard's Cave, a large cave with a natural arch in front. From the cave you have a fine view of the Dale. Below here there are more crags - Tissington Spires - which are almost like blades or fins of rock alongside the river. The next stretch of the river is again narrow and Stepping Stones craggy, so the path climbs up the hillside above Lover's Leap to pass Sharplow Point and then down to emerge at the famous stepping-stones where Dovedale meets Lindale, overlooked by the conical mass of Thorpe Cloud, which is well worth climbing for the view it gives of the area.

This is the end of the gorge, and the Dove is joined here by the Manifold for the combined river to meander through gentler but less exciting countryside to eventually meet the Trent near Burton. Share: The Birdsgrove Fly Fishing Club The Birdsgrove Fly Fishing Club Welcome to our club A warm welcome to the website of The Birdsgrove Fly Fishing Club. We fish for Brown Trout and Grayling on the River Dove just to the West and South West of Ashbourne where the river forms the county boundary between Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Charles Cotton made the river Dove famous in his writings about his friend Izaac Walton. Our club began its life around 1875 with a small group of friends fishing the water of the Birdsgrove House Estate in Mayfield and that of the owner of Alrewas Mill below Hanging Bridge. Today the Club owns and leases approximately 6 miles of mainly double bank fishing to which the current 55 members enjoy exclusive access. The responsibility of the Committee of Management is to continue the Club’s proud and long standing tradition for stewardship of the quality of life within the river and its environment, to fulfil the fishing expectations of its members and to uphold the principles of the Club.

Waterways of Derbyshire Waterways of Derbyshire Navigable Rivers and Canals within Derbyshire Sandiacre Lock on the Grand Union Erewash Canal. Ashton, Peak Forest and Macclesfield Canals Waterway's place in Derbyshire : A collection of canals in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Derbyshire. Waterway Description: These three canals have been, for many years, considered as one navigation. In the Great Central Railway days it was known as the "A.P.M.". They are now part of the Cheshire Ring. History: See Individual canals for more details. In 1961 the last passage was made through the Ashton and Lower Peak Forrest Canals prior to their restoration in 1974. For more details see the Waterway details page . Chesterfield Canal Waterway's place in Derbyshire : From the original terminus of the canal at Chesterfield to Norwood the canal was in Derbyshire. It then crosses into Yorkshire. Waterway Description: Now navigable for 31 miles from the River Trent at West Stockwith to the Norwood Tunnel at Kiveton Park.

A further 5 mile isolated section is available for trailboats between Chesterfield and Staveley History: Promoted by an Act of 1771, and opened in 1777, it originally ran 45.5 miles from Chesterfield to the Trent. Points of Interest: Water levels are maintained by pumping. Only for topping up at Retford, the rest is by gravity. For more details see the Waterway details page . Cromford Canal A canal that was entirely within Derbyshire. Waterway Description: A 14 mile 5 furlong canal that ran from the Erewash Canal at Langley Mill to Cromford with a branch to Pixton. History: Authorised by an Act of 1789, opened in 1794. Butterley Tunnel was closed due to subsidence in 1900. The tunnel was 3,063 yards long but with the addition of a road extension it is now closer to 3,100 yards. The whole of the rest of the canal, except for half a mile, was abandoned in 1944 and the final stretch to Langley Mill in 1962.

For more details see the Waterway details page . Derby Canal The whole canal was within Derbyshire. Waterway Description: Ran 14.5 miles, and 8 broad locks, to Sadiacre from the Trent at Swarkestone. History: For more details see the Waterway details page . Erewash Canal The whole canal is within Derbyshire. Waterway Description: An 11.75 mile broad canal with 14 locks. History: Authorised by an Act of 1777 and fully opened in 1779. Became part of the Grand Union in 1932. For more details see the Waterway details page . Grand Union Erewash Canal The whole canal is within Derbyshire. Waterway Description: Runs 11.75 miles from the Junction with the Cromford Canal at Langley Mill to the junction with the River Trent at Trent Lock. For more details see the Waterway details page . High Peak Junction Canal project Waterway's place in Derbyshire : A proposed canal was to be entirely within Derbyshire. Waterway Description: A proposed canal to link the Cromford Canal with the Peak Forest Canal. Never authorised or built.

History: In 1810 the Grand Junction Canal Company proposed the link which was opposed by the Trent & Mersey Canal Company. For more details see the Waterway details page . North Eastern Junction Canal project Waterway's place in Derbyshire : A proposed canal linking Derbyshire with Yorkshire. Waterway Description: A proposal for a canal from Pixton on the Cromford Canal to the Chesterfield Canal and onwards from Hillmarsh on the Chesrterfield Canal to Rotherham, where it joined the River Don. History: A public meeting was held on 26 October 1810 and John Rennie surveyed the route.It was supported by the Cromford Canal Company and in 1811 the Nottingham Canal Company recommended that their shareholders give it support. It was still being discussed in September 1814 but was never authorised or built. For more details see the Waterway details page . Nutbrook Canal An abandoned Derbyshire canal. Waterway Description: Was a 4.5 mile, 13 lock, broad canal from Shipley Wharf, near Ilkeston, Derbyshire, to White House, Staunton, where in joined the Erewash Canal.

History: Authorised by an Act of 1793, opened about 1796. No traffic after 1949 and much of the canal filled in now. For more details see the Waterway details page . Peak Forest Canal Waterway's place in Derbyshire : From just before Thornsett Road bridge No 28, where the canal crosses out of Cheshire, to the end at Buxworth the canal is in Derbyshire for about 2 miles. Waterway Description: Runs from the junction with the Ashton Canal at Dukinfield to Buxworth Basin. History: Promoted under Acts of 1794, 1800 and 1805. Opened with a connecting tramroad at Marple in 1800. Marple Locks were opened in 1804. Points of Interest: For more details see the Waterway details page . River Derwent (Derbyshire) The whole river is within Derbyshire. Waterway Description: A tributary of the River Trent. History: Made navigable under an Act of 1720 and fully opened for the 10 miles up to Derby in in 1721.

Traffic ceased about 1795 and it was bought by the Derby Canal Company. For more details see the Waterway details page . River Trent Waterway's place in Derbyshire : From the head of navigation at Wilden Ferry to the junction with the River Soar the river forms the boundary between Derbyshire and Leicestershire. From that point to the River Erewash Junction at Barton in Fabis the river forms the boundary between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire before crossing completely into Nottinghamshire. Waterway Description: The navigation runs 94.75 miles from Wilden Ferry to Trent Falls, where it joins the Rivers Ouse and Humber. The first 42 miles are non-tidal History: For more details see the Waterway details page . Scarsdale & High Peak Canal project Waterway's place in Derbyshire : A proposed canal from Derbyshire to Yorkshire. Waterway Description: A proposed 44 mile canal from the Peak Forest canal at Buxworth down the Derwent valley to the Sheffield and Chesterfield canals and on to Cromford. Also called the Grand Conmmercial Canal.

History: A prospectus (dated 24 June 1824) was issued to build the canal at an estimated cost of �574,130. It was never authorised or built. For more details see the Waterway details page . Speedwell Level A half mile underground canal in Speedwell lead mine, Castleton, Derbyshire. Still navigable. History: For more details see the Waterway details page . Trent and Mersey Canal Waterway's place in Derbyshire : From the start of the canal at Derwent Mouth, where it connects to the River Trent, until the River Dove Aqueduct, just before Clay Mills Bridge No 28, the route is in Derbyshire for 14 miles. It then crosses into Staffordshire. Waterway Description: Runs 93 miles from Derwent Mouth, where it joins the River Trent, to Preston Brook, where it joins a branch of the Bridgewater Canal History: Originally known as the Grand Trunk Canal.

Promoted by Acts of 1766, 1770, 1775, 1776, 1783, 1797 (two Acts), 1802, 1809 and 1827 For more details see the Waterway details page . Whaley Bridge Branch The whole branch is within Derbyshire. Waterway Description: A short branch which leads to the basin at Whaley Bridge. History: For more details see the Waterway details page . Woodeaves Canal An abandoned Derbyshire canal. Waterway Description: Was a 1.25 mile level canal from Woodeaves Brook, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire, to cotton mills near Fenny Bentley. Unconnected with any other navigation. History: GENUKI: DERBYSHIRE, England - History and Description, 1868, Derbyshire We are in the process of upgrading the site to implement a content management system. DERBYSHIRE, England - History and Description, 1868 [Description(s) from The National Gazetteer (1868)] "DERBYSHIRE, a midland county, lying to the N.

of the Trent, between 52° 41' and 53° 30' N. lat., and 1° 10' and 2° 4' W. long. It is bounded on the N.E. by the West Riding of Yorkshire, from which it is partly separated by the rivers Derwent, Rother, and Sheaf; on the E. by Nottinghamshire, from which it is separated by the Erewash; on the S.E. by Leicestershire, from which it is partly separated by the Trent; on the S.W. by Staffordshire, from which it is separated by the Dove and Trent; on the W. by Staffordshire and Cheshire, from the former of which it is separated by the Dove, and from the latter by the Goyt; and on the N.W. by Cheshire, from which it is here separated by the Etherow. In form it is irregular, the northern part being broad, and the southern part narrow. Its extreme length from N. to S. is 56 miles, its extreme breadth from E. to W.

34 miles, and its area 1,029 square miles, or 658,803 statute acres. A small portion of Derbyshire near the southern extremity is detached from the main part of the county, being shut in between Warwickshire, Leicestershire, and Staffordshire. The population of Derbyshire in 1861 was 339,327, against 296,084 in 1851, showing an increase of 43,243, or at the rate of 15 per cent., during the ten years. Since 1801 it has more than doubled. In 1861 the number of inhabited houses was 69,262, and of uninhabited, 3,436. Before the conquest of Britain by the Romans, Derbyshire formed part of the territory of the Coretani, and was afterwards included in the Roman province Flavia Cæsariensis. During the Saxon period Derbyshire was comprehended in the kingdom of Mercia, and at Repton on the Trent the Saxon kings had a residence.

In the reigns of Ethelred and Alfred, Derbyshire was the scene of frequent contests between the Saxons and the Danes: the latter long held possession of the town of Derby. William the Conqueror made considerable grants of land within the county to Henry de Ferrers, whose son he created Earl de Ferrers, and his grandson Earl of Derby. William Peverel, a natural son of William the Conqueror, also received extensive grants of land, and to him is attributed the building of the Peak and Bolsover castles. Richard I. deprived the Earl of Ferrers of the title and possessions of the earldom of Derby, and bestowed them on his own brother, John. After the latter ascended the throne, the earldom of Derby was restored to the Earl de Ferrers. In the insurrection of the barons against Henry III., the Earl of Ferrers and Derby took a very active part, but having been taken prisoner at Chesterfield, his estates were confiscated, and, along with the title of Earl of Derby, were bestowed upon Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, son of Henry III.

From this period the earldom of Derby long remained united with that of Lancaster, Edmund was succeeded in the earldom of Derby and Lancaster by his son Thomas, who, on the failure of the insurrection against Gaveston and Le Despenser, the favourites of Edward II., was taken prisoner and executed. Thomas was succeeded by his brother Henry, and Henry was succeeded by his son Henry - that Earl of Derby who commanded the English army in Guienne. On the death of the latter, the earldom of Derby and Lancaster fell to John of Gaunt, who had married Henry's daughter Blanch. John of Gaunt was succeeded by his son Henry, afterwards Henry IV. Henry VII. conferred the title of Earl of Derby on his supporter, Lord Stanley, in whose family it has ever since continued. In the early part of 1642, Derbyshire was held by the royalists; but in the October of that year Sir John Gell entered the county with a small body of infantry, and having received reinforcements, attacked and captured several of the royalist strongholds, and defeated the king's army at Swarkestone Bridge.

In 1643 he reduced Bolsover Castle, which was commanded by the Earl of Newcastle. The royalists afterwards regained possession of the northern part of the county. In 1644 a battle was fought at Egginton Heath. In his march into Yorkshire after the battle of Naseby, the king gained some advantages over Sir John Gell. The northern part of Derbyshire, which is called the Peak, is very elevated; the southern part is in general flat. The scenery of the Peak, consisting of elevated moorlands, intersected by deep, well-wooded valleys, is very varied and beautiful. The principal heights of this district are Blakelow Stones, 1,800 feet high; Kinderscout, nearly as high; Axe Edge, at the head of the Dove, 1,758 feet high; Lord's Seat and Main Tor, 1,751 feet. These hills are mostly bleak and barren, affording scanty pasture to large numbers of sheep. A lateral ridge runs between the basins of the Dove and the Derwent.

A branch of the Pennine range, which leaves the main ridge in Yorkshire and runs along the boundary of Yorkshire and Derbyshire, crosses Derbyshire in a south-easterly direction, and forms the eastern boundary of the basin of the Derwent. Of this range the principal elevations are Oxstones, 1,377 feet high, and Aport or Orpit Hill, 980 feet. The principal rivers of Derbyshire are the Trent, Derwent, Dove, Erewash, Mease, Goyt, Sheaf, and Rother. The Trent, after flowing N. for 10 miles, along the border of Derbyshire and Staffordshire, enters the former county below Burton, runs E. for 11 miles through Derbyshire, then flows N.E. for 10 miles, along the borders of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire, till it joins the Erewash, when it leaves Derbyshire altogether. The length of its course along and within the border of Derbyshire is 31 miles. About three-fourths of the entire county are drained by the Trent.

The Trent is navigable as far as Burton: since 1805, however, by agreement with the Trent and Mersey Canal Company, the Trent has not been used for purposes of navigation above its junction with the Derwent. The Derwent rises on the borders of Derbyshire and Yorkshire, flows S. through Chatsworth Park, by Matlock, Cromford, Belper, and Derby, then E. into the Trent. Its principal tributaries are the Westend river, Ashop, Noe, Wye (which rises near Axe Edge and flows S.E. by Bakewell), Ambergate, and Ecclesburn: its entire course is about 60 miles. The scenery of the Derwent is in many parts remarkably beautiful. This river was some years ago made navigable as far as Derby, but has since been superseded by the Derby canal. The Dove rises on the slope of Axe Edge, flows S. by Longnor and Ashbourne into the Trent below Burton. It forms the boundary between Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Its chief tributaries are the Manifold and Churnet from Staffordshire: its course is about 45 miles.

The scenery of the valley of the Dove, especially of that part called "Dove Dale", is unsurpassed by that of any other English river. Its waters are very clear and of a bluish tint. In spring the Dove frequently overflows its banks. The Erewash rises in Nottinghamshire, enters Derbyshire 3 miles from its source, and flows S. into the Trent: its course is about 20 miles. The Mease rises in Leicestershire, and flows into the Trent its course is about 20 miles. The Goyt rises near Axe Edge, flows N.W. till it joins the Etherow; the united streams then flow S.W. into the Mersey at Stockport. The Rother rises near Chatsworth Park, flows E. to Chesterfield, then flows N.E. till it enters Yorkshire. The Sheaf rises in Derbyshire and joins the Dove at Sheffield. Derbyshire is well supplied with canals. The Trent and Mersey canal begins at Wilden Ferry, and runs through Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Cheshire: its length is 93 miles. The Derby canal connects Derby with the Grand Trunk and Erewash canals.

The Erewash canal commences in the Trent, runs along the valley of the Erewash, and joins the Cromford canal. The Cromford canal commences at Langley Bridge, and runs past Codnor, whence it has a branch to Pinxton, along the valley of the Derwent to Cromford Bridge. The Nutbrook canal is a branch of the Erewash canal, commencing near Shipley. The Chesterfield canal commences at Chesterfield, follows the valley of the Rother, and joins the Trent below Gainsborough: its length is 46 miles, 12 only of which are in Derbyshire, the remainder being in Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire. Notwithstanding the hilly character of Derbyshire, it is intersected by several important lines of railway. The Midland railway connects Derby with Chesterfield and the north, from which line a branch, passing through most beautiful scenery in the valley of Wye, was opened to Buxton in 1863.

The Birmingham and Derby Junction runs in a south-western direction from Derby to Egginton, where it quits the county; the Midland by one section connects Derby with Burton, and by another with Loughborough, Leicester, and Rugby; the North Staffordshire line connects Derby with Macclesfield, and has a branch to Ashbourne. Mention ought also to be made of the Cromford and High Peak railway, which although only intended for the conveyance of minerals and merchandise, is interesting as having been commenced as far back as 1825, and opened for traffic in 1830, rising upwards of 990 feet in 33 miles. It was worked by fixed engines and horses, but is now superseded by the Buxton line. The climate of Derbyshire varies according to the elevation of the land: in the N., where it is hilly, the annual rainfall is very large; in the lowlands it is about the same as in the surrounding counties. The soil of the mountainous parts is barren, whilst that of the lowlands is highly productive. Derbyshire, to the S.

of Ashbourne, Duffield, and Sandiacre, belongs to the New Red sandstone or red marl formation. In the red sandstone near Darley Abbey, gypsum is quarried and used by the potters of Staffordshire for moulds, &c. The new magnesian or conglomerate limestone occupies the eastern part of the county. Underlying the magnesian limestone are the coal measures. The principal coal-mining districts are about Chesterfield and Alfreton, between Ashbourne and Derby. There are also some coal-mines at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, on the borders of Leicestershire. In the coal district, ironstone is found. Carboniferous limestone occupies the centre of the county, and is quarried as marble. In this formation china-stone and fluor-spar are found. Where the carboniferous limestone crops out are the lead-mines, from which about 4,500 tons of lead are obtained yearly. Millstone grit occupies a tract between Duffield, Belper, and Wirksworth, and extends to the northern border.

There are numerous limestone caverns in Derbyshire, the most remarkable being the Devil's cavern, 2,700 feet long; Eldon Hole, 180 feet deep, near Castleton; and the Bagshaw Grottoes, 2,000 feet long, containing stalactites., There are warm springs at Matlock and Buxton, and at Stoney Middleton, where the Romans established a bath. Agriculture, especially in the north, is backward. A large proportion of the land is in pasture. There are rich meadows along the courses of the rivers: along that of the Dove are large dairies, where great quantities of cheese are made. Large crops of wheat and barley (the latter for the Burton breweries) are grown on the red marl, and oats on the poorer land. It was formerly the custom when the wheat was thin in the spring to sow barley amongst it; the produce of this mixture was called "blend", and ground to meal, of which the poorer classes made bread. Spring wheat is now sown instead of barley. Potatoes are grown in large quantities.

The oxen are of various breeds; the heaviest kinds are fattened on the rich pastures of this county. The sheep on the hills are similar to the Cheviot: in the lowlands, South Down and Leicester are most esteemed. Derbyshire has no very large woods. Coppices and plantations, where poles are grown for the mines, are numerous. The principal manufactures of the county are cotton, calico, silk, and lace. Derby is the chief seat of the manufactures. The lead-mines are under the jurisdiction of stewards appointed by the lessees. They preside in the barmote courts, held twice a year, and determine all disputes that arise in working the mines. The county returns six members to parliament; two for the N., two for the S., and two for Derby. At the period of the Domesday Survey Derbyshire, was divided for civil purposes into five wapentakes-viz., Scarvedale, Hamestan, Morlestan, Walecross, and Apultre. It is now divided into six hundreds: High Peak, Wirksworth, Scarsdale, Morleston and Litchurch, Appletree, Repton and Gresley.

Derbyshire forms an archdeaconry in the diocese of Lichfield, and contains nineteen rural deaneries. It is divided into nine unions, including 272 parishes and townships : Chapel-en-le-Frith, Bakewell, Glossop, Hayfield, Shard-low, Ashbourne, Belper, Chesterfield, and Derby. Besides Derby, which is the only parliamentary borough and market-town, there are sixteen other market-towns Alfreton, Ashbourne, Ashover, Bakewell, Belper, Buxton, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Chesterfield, Crich, Ilkeston, Wirksworth, Cromford, Dronfield, Heanor, Tideswell, and Winster. The principal antiquities of Derbyshire are Druid circles of stones and barrows at Arbor-low and Stanton Moor, and some cromlechs at Hathersage. The British road Icknield Street crossed the county from S.W. to N.E. The Romans had stations at Derventio, Buxton, Brough in Hopedale, and Melandra Castle; and roads - Long Lane, from Little Chester to Chesterton, and another through Buxton to Manchester.

There are remains of Melandra, Mackworth, Castleton, and Codnor castles, of Haddon Hall, and South Wingfield Manor House, of the priories of Repton and Gresley, Dale and Beauchief abbeys, and Yeaveley preceptory. The chief seats of the nobility are Chatsworth and Hardwicke, of the Duke of Devonshire; Bolsover, of the Duke of Portland; Elvaston, of Earl Harrington; Bretby, of Earl Chesterfield; Melbourne Park, of Viscount Melbourne; Hassop, of Earl Newburgh; Sudbury, of Lord Vernon; Doveridge, of Lord Waterpark; Redestone, of Lord Scarsdale." [Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003] Crowdecote | Crowdecote Village | Peak District |Derbyshire Walks Around Crowdecote CROWDECOTE Crowdecote nestles deep in the valley beside the river Dove, and can be approached by an extremely steep and winding road descending High Needham hill or an alternative descent from the village of Longnor .

The river forms the county boundary between Derbyshire and Staffordshire; however, most of the properties in this tiny hamlet are in Derbyshire. The original Crowdy Coat Bridge over the Dove was a wooden footbridge. In 1709 this was replaced by a stone packhorse bridge, which was constructed to enable the heavily laden packhorse ponies to cross. The turnpike route from Royal cottage on the Buxton to Leek road lead via Monyash and Horse Lane to Ashford and Bakewell . It was a popular route and a toll cottage with a gate stood just on the Derbyshire side of the Dove. The gate has now disappeared as has the toll when the toll gates were ‘thrown open’ on 1st November 1873, but Toll Bar Cottage still stands. It is also thought that the name Crowdecote is a corruption of Cruda’s Cot (Cruda was a Saxon landowner) and a cot is a form of shelter. Packhorse Inn at Crowdecote is renowned for its menu of home-made tasty meals .

Near to Crowdecote are the impressive conical-shaped Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill which are reef knolls, being examples of a kind of coral reef formed by billions of polyps in the carboniferous sea. Unlike the softer limestone, they retained their original structure and are richer in marine fossils than limestone, containing trilobites and corals. Due north of Crowdecote is the more conventional shaped hill of High Wheeldon which reaches a height of 1348 feet. It was given to the nation as a memorial to the men of Derbyshire and Staffordshire who fell in the Second World War and then made over to the National Trust. East Lodge Hotel

Question: Which river forms a natural boundary between Derbyshire and Staffordshire
Answer: Dove